The Sisters of Straygarden Place

Since their parents vanished seven years ago, leaving them a list of rules ("Do not leave the house. Do not go into the grass. Wait for us. Sleep darkly"), the Ballastian sisters--10-year-old Pavonine, 12-year-old Mayhap, and 14-year-old Winnow--have lived alone at Straygarden Place, a semi-sentient house that fulfills their every need. Unable to sleep without the droomhunds, which settle into their minds at night, the sisters await their parents' return. When Winnow ventures into the forbidding silver grass outside--which perpetually whispers to the girls and tries to creep inside--and comes down with an uncanny affliction, Mayhap delves into Straygarden's secrets to find a cure. Instead, she discovers a strange girl who claims to be the source of the house's magic, as well as the shocking reason behind her parents' disappearance. Chewins (The Turnaway Girls) weaves a vivid, otherworldly tale of family and secrets, with a gothic setting that serves as a character in its own right. Through themes of identity, forgiveness, and longing, Mayhap's unpredictable quest becomes intensely personal, especially as the sisters reinvent their familial relationship. Ages 10-14. Agent: Patricia Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Sept.)

Gr 4-6--Mayhap Ballastian and her sisters Winnow and Pavonine have been trapped in Straygarden Place since their parents disappeared several years earlier. Luckily, the house takes care of everything the sisters need, providing meals on demand and droomhunds to darken their sleep and keep them company. It isn't safe to go outside the tall magical grasses surrounding the house--but one terrible day, Winnow goes wandering in the grasses anyway. From that point forward, everything that the sisters knew to be true starts to unravel as Mayhap must save her family and herself. Along the way, she meets the Mysteriessa of Straygarden Place, who claims to use magic to take care of the house and the Ballastians...but can she be trusted? The magic of Straygarden Place is dreamy and imbued with dread, providing a strong setting for Mayhap's trials. Though at times the surreality of the world makes it hard to follow, the plot and characters are engaging enough to make up for it. VERDICT A strong opening and consistent sense of urgency makes this an ideal choice for reluctant readers interested in slightly spooky fantasy. Give to fans of Neil Gaiman's Coraline, Kenneth Oppel's The Nest, or The House in Poplar Wood by K.E. Ormsbee.--Kelsey Socha, Springfield City Lib., MA